Cinecube's 'Times of the Theater' Invited to Major Film Festivals in Succession

'Times of the Theater' directors Lee Jongpil, Yoon Ga-eun, and Jang Geonjae are conducting a deep focus session at the 21st Mise-en-sc?ne Film Festival. Provided by Cinecube

Taekwang Group's Tcast art cinema Cinecube's 25th anniversary film, 'Times of the Theater,' has been expanding the possibilities of art films as it continues to be invited to major domestic film festivals.

Beginning with its official invitation last month to the 'Korean Cinema Today - Panorama' section at the 30th Busan International Film Festival, the film was specially screened this month in the 'Deep Focus' program at the 21st Mise-en-sc?ne Short Film Festival. It has also been invited to the 'Festival Choice' section at the 51st Seoul Independent Film Festival and is scheduled for release in the first half of 2026.

'Times of the Theater' is an anthology project that explores the essence of film viewing and creation, centered around the space of the theater, and is composed of short films by three directors.

Director Lee Jongpil's 'Chimpanzee' captures the time of three friends who meet by chance in Gwanghwamun in 2000 and become drawn into a mysterious story. Yoon Gaeun's 'Naturally' follows the journey of child actors and a director as they strive to create natural performances. Jang Geonjae's 'Time of Cinema' depicts the moments of people working in an old theater and those who reunite with friends at the Gwanghwamun cinema.

At a talk session held after the special screening at the recent Mise-en-sc?ne Short Film Festival, the three directors engaged in an in-depth discussion about film production and the creative environment. Director Lee stated, "Watching 'Chimpanzee' again, I was reminded of film not as a profession, but as a process of creation." Director Yoon emphasized, "The experience of watching the same film in the same space is something that can only happen in a theater."

'Times of the Theater' also serves as an opportunity to re-examine the identity of domestic art cinema culture. Cinecube, which originated from the idea of former Taekwang Group chairman Lee Hojin in 2000, is the oldest existing art cinema in Korea. Located in the Heungkuk Life Insurance Building in Gwanghwamun, it has served as a hub for Korean art films for 25 years.

Director Jang commented, "Cinecube is truly an important place for directors born in the 1970s and 1980s." Director Lee Sanggeun added, "Seeing the image of Hammering Man in the film, the space of Cinecube, and the scenery of Gwanghwamun brings back memories we have of Cinecube."

Park Jiye, team leader at Cinecube, stated, "'Times of the Theater' is meaningful as it sparks discourse on the value and significance of theaters," adding, "We will continue to create opportunities for creators and audiences to connect through Cinecube as an enduring platform for art films."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.